cattle baron's 2024 logo.jpg

It’s time to polish up those boots and shape your cowboy hats for the largest fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society — the annual Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball happening this Saturday.

“The money we raise goes towards patient services, cancer research,” said Melissa Ivey, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society (ACS). “It’s a fun night for people to come out and support us.”

Celebrating 36 years, the boots and glitz event will feature headliner Randall King, a West Texas native and legendary country artist.

The western-themed ball was first introduced in Dallas 50 years ago and is widely hosted across the country to raise money for cancer research and support services.

“We saw that it was a great fundraising event that brought people together and raised a lot of money for the American Cancer Society,” Ivey said. “It has really grown.”

Since the first ball in Tyler in 1988, the event has raised over $17.5 million for local and national cancer support services, as well as groundbreaking cancer research. ACS is currently funding over $37 million in cancer research within the state of Texas, according to the fundraiser’s website.

This year’s ball, “Give Cancer the Boot,” is presented by Christus Trinity Mother Frances and the Northeast Texas Cancer & Research Institute. According to Ivey, 940 tickets have been sold so far, so they are expecting a big crowd.

“Everybody wears their cowboy boots,” she said. “It’s a great reminder that we’re raising money to ‘Give Cancer the Boot.’”

The theme, which was decided by this year’s chair Kimberly Taylor, was inspired by Kenneth Threlkeld, a longtime supporter of American Cancer Society who recently passed away.

“Every year, he would get the chairs custom cowboy boots from Cavender’s and have their theme logo on it,” Ivey said. “And it just seemed really fitting in tying that all together with our theme.”

Ivey said they’re also going to have a fun revenue enhancer involving a light-up cowboy boot cup, sponsored by Cavender’s.

“We always do a specialty drink for people who donate,” she said. “You get a souvenir cup from Mundo (Villapudua) of 1836 (Texas Kitchen) and Montez Brothers Catering comes up with a specialty drink for it. We think that is going to be a really big hit … it lights up, grabs people’s attention … so, we’re really excited about that little piece.”

The mission of this year’s Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball is to support the American Cancer Society’s Patient Transportation and Lodging Grant Program in East Texas, as well as pediatric cancer research.

Ivey said Christus and Texas Oncology will both receive grants from ACS. “It allows them to give their cancer patients gift cards to ease the financial burden of getting to and from treatment,” she said.

These funds will be allocated to local health systems to assist patients in meeting their transportation and lodging needs when traveling for lifesaving treatment appointments.

“Cancer patients travel for treatments … it could be two or three times a week, and being able to provide that patient service is why we’re raising money,” Ivey said.

This year’s monetary goal is $600,000 and, according to Ivey, they are close to reaching it.

“We are at $400,000,” she said. “The night of, we are expecting to raise the remaining amount with the live and silent auction and the paddle raise.”

The American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information on ACS programs and patient services available in your community, visit www.cancer.org or call 800-ACS-2345. The organization has touched 54 million lives through all patient support initiatives in 2021, has made a $5 billion total investment in research since 1946, and 50 Nobel prize winning scientists received research funding throughout the years, according to the ball’s website.

A VIP reception will begin at 6 p.m. for VIP Baron ticket holders, while Baron ticket holders can enter a private reception at 6:30 p.m. Doors will open to all general admission guests at 7 p.m. There will also be a VIP meet and greet backstage with King from 7:30 to 8 p.m. There will be a live auction, paddle raise and raffle drawings beginning at 8:30 p.m. There will also be a special “in memory” dedication to the recently late longtime ball supporter Threlkeld.

Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin will be the auctioneer for the night.

Charitable raffle drawings from Susan Robinson Jewelry and Hall Buick GMC will be announced at 9:35 p.m.

As for musical entertainment, King will take the stage at 10 p.m. and a satellite band performance by Jason Waldon and The Alibis is scheduled for 11:30 p.m.

The event will be held at the Brunson Equestrian Center on the grounds of Texas Rose Horse Park at 14078 State Highway 110 in Tyler.

If You Go

What: 36th annual Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball

Why: To raise funds for the American Cancer Society benefitting local and national cancer research and support services

When: Saturday, 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Where: Brunson Equestrian Center on the grounds of Texas Rose Horse Park

Tickets: $200-$300, limited amount remaining at https://tyler.acscbb.org/tickets-donations/

Information: https://tyler.acscbb.org